Tofino, British Columbia

From Freepedia

Tofino is a village of about 1,600 residents on the west coast of Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, Canada, located at the western terminus of provincial highway 4. (49°9′ N 125°54′ W)

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Tofino was named after a Spanish mathematician and scientist, Jefe de Escuadra Tofino, who died in 1795. It is located at the tip of the Esowista Peninsula, and is thus a part of Clayoquot Sound. Islands in the vicinity include Meares, Vargas and Flores. It and nearby Ucluelet are the closest towns to the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

A popular tourist destination in the summer, Tofino's population swells to many times its winter size. It attracts surfers, nature lovers, campers, whale watchers, or anyone just looking to be close to nature. In the winter it is not as busy, however, many people visit Tofino and the west coast to watch storms on the water.

Close to Tofino is a scenic and popular year-round destination, Long Beach at the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

Tofino has a small airport about ten minutes' drive from town. The airport is accessible to both float planes and very small passenger planes. Coastal fog is a common morning phenomenon in the summer, complicating access by air until the weather clears.

Accessing Tofino by car from the North American mainland involves taking a ferry to Vancouver Island from Vancouver or Seattle, then driving several hours across the island. Ferry access from Vancouver is provided by BC Ferries.

Accommodation in Tofino includes bed and breakfast lodging, independent locally-run inns, and up-scale luxury resorts which are also locally owned and operated.

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